Fixture pile-up adds to Manchester City's woes

Manchester City's FA Cup quarter-final against Wigan has been pushed back to March 9 by broadcasters - just three days before they face the daunting task of trying to overcome a Champions League deficit away to Barcelona.

Thursday's announcement by BT Sport will be a source of fresh frustration for City manager Manuel Pellegrini.

It follows the Chilean's criticism of the performance of referee Jonas Eriksson after his side's 2-0 defeat by Barca in the first leg of their last 16 tie at the Etihad Stadium on Tuesday.

Now, just three days before the return leg at the Nou Camp, City face holders Wigan in a repeat of the 2013 FA Cup final, with a 4pm kick-off at the Etihad.

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BT themselves acknowledged the problems they'd caused the Premier League title contenders.

City's packed program next month starts with the League Cup final against Sunderland at Wembley on March 2.

But following a match at home to Stoke this Saturday, City do not face another league fixture for three weeks because of commitments caused by still being in the hunt for four trophies this season.

But their hopes of a first Champions League title are hanging by a thread, with Pellegrini especially furious with Eriksson for sending off City's Martin Demichelis early in the second half in an incident that led to the defender's fellow Argentinian Lionel Messi opening the scoring from the penalty spot.

Pellegrini said Swedish official Eriksson lacked "impartiality" but Demichelis refused to blame the referee for his exit.

"I tackled him (Messi) because we were still outside the box," Demichelis told the Sun.

"But I don't blame the referee. It happened all too fast. I have seen the moment again on TV and think 'Why did I have to tackle him and not keep running by his side?'

"I was sure I would get the ball when I made the tackle. And then you think that you will steal the ball from Messi, you realise that you don't. But I made the foul."

UEFA has opened an investigation into Pellegrini's outburst and he is in danger of a fine or touchline ban.